Fatal Flaws In Macbeth

Macbeth’s Fatal Flaws William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, is thought to be cursed; many people have been injured or killed while the play is being performed. Macbeth not only has a curse that causes tragic events, but the actual play itself involves tragic events as well. This includes the deaths of many people, such as Macbeth, the main character. Macbeth starts off as a seemingly good and noble gentleman until he is persuaded by his wife, Lady Macbeth, to kill King Duncan in order for Macbeth to become king. Then, he continues on a murdering spree by killing many others, including his close friend, Banquo. Throughout the play, Macbeth shows signs of remorse which leads to him being suicidal. Macbeth’s fatal flaws of being easily swayed,

Although it may seem that Lady Macbeth is at fault for Duncan’s murder, it is really Macbeth who is at fault. He should have stood his ground and not been so easily swayed by his wife. Lady Macbeth says to herself, “Yet I do fear thy nature; It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way” (1.5.16-18). This shows that Lady Macbeth knew that Macbeth didn’t have what it took to murder Duncan. It was in his nature to be too kind and too noble. She later says, “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round” (1.5.28-31). This shows that Lady Macbeth was planning on persuading Macbeth and talking him out of whatever was holding him back from killing the king. While trying to persuade Macbeth, Lady Macbeth

Macbeth says, “Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well. Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison, malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing can touch him further” (3.2.25-29). This shows that Macbeth seems to envy Duncan and wants to join him in this everlasting peace, death. Macbeth also shows that he is filled with guilt and is suicidal when he says, “I have almost forgot the taste of fears…I have supped full with horrors. Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, cannot once start me” (5.5.11,15-17). This shows that Macbeth is familiar with his horrible thoughts and that they can’t startle him anymore. He has lost touch with reality and has become numb to his violent thoughts. Another time Macbeth feels guilty is right after murdering Duncan and forgetting to leave the daggers with the servants. He says, “I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on ’t again I dare not” (2.2.65-67). This shows that even right after killing Duncan, Macbeth feels regret and remorse for his actions. He refuses to go back and be forced to see the dead and bloody